School Board Seat, Bond Issue Up For Vote In Liberty District

Voters in the Liberty School District will select a new school board member and decide whether to pass a $7 million bond.

Two people are running for one position on the board. A 14-year board member is running unopposed for the other open seat.

If passed, the proposed $7 million bond will pay for a building to house the cafeteria, library and media center, music, art, drama and gym rooms for high school and elementary school students. Some of the existing rooms that serve those purposes at both schools will be converted to classrooms. A science laboratory at the high school, built in 1961, also will be remodeled.

Bonds targeting the same improvements have failed four times in the past two years.

All three school board candidates agree that passing the bond is crucial to the 658-student district south of the Spokane Valley. Other issues to be addressed include beefing up technology and improving childrens’ character.

Calling himself a conservative with common sense, stock broker Vern Clemenson said he’s “old enough to have some ideas and young enough to carry them out.”

Clemenson wants to help children develop virtue and character and ensure that graduating seniors are prepared for life after high school.

Larry Smith, who’s lived in the district for just over a year, said the district’s computer technology is out of date. Smith, who manages computer systems for a fertilizer company, said he has the technical expertise to help the district get up to speed with technology.

Smith also wants to instill in students the feeling that they are responsible for their future. “One of the things that bugs me in our culture is people that blame everybody else,” Smith said.

Fourteen-year board member Dean Lyon is running unopposed for the remaining open position. Preparing children for the age of technology and passing a bond to ease overcrowding also are tops on his list of issues.

, DataTimes MEMO: See candidate profile by name.